Gustavus Receives $1 Million Gift

Gustavus Adolphus College is pleased to announce that the Greater Gustavus Fund has made a commitment of $1 million in support of both Commission Gustavus 150 and the College’s Sesquicentennial Celebration in 2012.

Commission Gustavus 150 is a planning process established by the Board of Trustees designed to involve all the College’s constituents in integrating and expanding the College’s strategic plan and making recommendations for the College’s future advancement. Chaired by Gustavus Trustee and past Board Chair Warren Beck ’67, the Commission comprises eight task forces that are examining all aspects of the College’s strategic mission, core values, and future aspirations. With input from a series of 16 National Summit meetings of alumni across the country, the task forces will make recommendations to the Gustavus Board of Trustees this spring.

“The Commission’s important, future-focused work will benefit enormously from the Greater Gustavus Fund’s support,” said Gustavus President Jack R. Ohle. “Throughout its history, the Fund has been at the forefront of innovative investments in the College’s future. This gift will not only continue that tradition but will ensure the College’s financial viability. It is fitting, too, that this support will enable us to appropriately commemorate our Sesquicentennial, which is sure to be a joyous celebration as well as an historic 150th anniversary of the College’s founding in 1862.”

The Greater Gustavus Fund is an 81-year-old, independent foundation that supports Gustavus programs and projects of its choosing. Since its inception, the Fund has now committed more than $5 million to boost major initiatives ranging from the Myrum Memorial Field House in 1939 to $1.5 million for endowed scholarships in 1994, and, most recently, a $250,000 commitment to support the Kendall Center for Engaged Learning.

“This generous gift comes at an ideal time for Gustavus,” said President Ohle. “The necessary elements of planning, constituent engagement, and funding are coming together in a very important way for us as we work to strengthen the College’s position as a leading liberal arts institution and to ensure the fulfillment of our mission and core values for future generations of Gustavus students.”